(2020-04-14). Europe's 'mixed picture': Optimism fading in UK as lockdown may be extended, while some European nations ease restrictions. rt.com 
The UK Foreign Secretary has said the restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19 in Britain will remain in place until at least May 7, as other European nations re-open small businesses and non-essential stores. | Dominic Raab, who is deputizing for Boris Johnson while the latter continues his recovery, said on Monday that the UK still has a "long way to go" in its battle against the disease. | Read more | | Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Valance also warned that the…
(2020-04-14). Leaked footage shows Emmanuel Macron arguing with hospital worker just days before extending France's Covid-19 lockdown. rt.com 
A video has emerged of the French president having a blazing row with a medic just days before he admitted France had been under-prepared for the coronavirus outbreak. | Emmanuel Macron was filmed arguing with the hospital worker while he was on a visit to the Kremlin-Bicetre hospital in Paris on April 9. | Shortly after the clip, which was released by a medical workers union, the president was shown in footage released by his office leading a round of applause with staff at the facility. | In the footage of the argument, he can be seen telling hospital workers "we haven't made up for 15 years of hospital tari…
(2020-04-14). Over 100k infections in, France becomes 4th country to surpass 15,000 coronavirus deaths. rt.com 
The death toll from Covid-19 has reached 15,729 in France, making it the fourth country after the US, Italy and Spain to cross the unsettling threshold. The number of confirmed cases of the disease also went beyond 100,000. | There were 762 new deaths in the past 24 hours, Jerome Salomon, the head of the public health authority, said. The figure indicated a slight increase in the rate of fatalities, which remained stable for the few previous days. | The number of the infected in the country has also risen by almost 5,500 since Monday, reaching 103,573 people. | Despite the somber figures, the French health chi…
(2020-04-14). Cannes, but in different 'form'? Film festival orgs hint it'll have to CHANGE as France extends Covid-19 shutdown. rt.com 
Organizers of the Cannes International Film Festival have not yet given up on holding it "one way or another" this summer, but have conceded it will be impossible in "its original form," due to extended coronavirus lockdowns. | The festival, which serves as a springboard for a wide variety of films, was originally scheduled to start on May 12. Last month, the organizers On Monday, howev…
(2020-04-14). French court orders Amazon to limit warehouse activities to 'essentials' until worker protection assured. rt.com 
Amazon's French warehouses have been restricted to shipping essential goods only until a safety assessment can be conducted, after unions demanded the megacorporation adopt better employee protection measures. | The judicial court of Nanterre has ordered Amazon to limit its warehouse activities to "reception, preparation and shipment of food products, hygienic products, and medical products" within 24 hours, union counsel Judith Krivine told reporters on Tuesday. The company must submit to a professional risk assessment in conjunction with employee representatives before it can resume normal operations. | Also…
(2020-04-14). Germany's drop in Covid-19 cases may only be due to lack of testing at Easter, public health chief warns, amid lockdown debate. rt.com 
Germany's top health official has cautioned that a recent slowdown in new coronavirus infections is likely the result of a temporary decrease in testing. The warning comes as Berlin considers lifting containment measures. | Daily tallies of new coronavirus cases have begun to gradually decline, but the recent figures may be the result of less testing over the Easter holiday, Lothar Wieler, the head of the Robert Koch health institute, noted. | "We can therefore not yet conclusively assess whether the number of cases is actually falling," the public health chief argued, adding that Germans should not think that…
(2020-04-14). Polish govt prepares to begin lifting some restrictions from April 19. rt.com 
Poland will gradually lift lockdown measures imposed to contain the novel coronavirus from April 19, starting with restrictions on convenience stores, the government said on Tuesday. It is also preparing to hold presidential elections by post on May 10. | "From the 19th we will slowly start unfreezing the economy," Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski told Polish radio station RMF FM. Poland's government spokesman Piotr Muller told public radio that restrictions on shops are likely to be lifted first. The government in Warsaw will decide on the lifting of further curbs on Wednesday or Thursday, Muller added. | As…
(2020-04-14). Austria, Denmark & Italy tentatively emerge from coronavirus lockdown. rt.com 
The governments of Austria, Denmark and Italy have all begun easing lockdown restrictions, allowing certain segments of the workforce to return to work in a staggered manner, in a bid to revive the countries' ailing economies. | On March 16, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz ordered everything, except supermarkets and medical facilities, to shut down in the hopes of preventing a coronavirus outbreak similar to the one which ravaged Italy. | Those restrictions are finally beginning to be lifted on Tuesday as non-essential stores under 400 square meters (4,300 square feet), such as hardware stores and garden ce…
(2020-04-14). US coronavirus deaths top 25,000. rt.com 
The number of deaths in the US due to Covid-19 has reached 25,000, according to multiple databases keeping track of the coronavirus toll. | There have been more than 584,000 total US cases registered as of Tuesday morning.This puts the US in the first place globally in both known cases and fatalities, ahead of the next hardest-hit country, Italy, where the death toll is just over 21,000. | The state of New York remains the hardest hit, with almost 11,000 of the deaths and over 202,000 cases. New York City alone accounts for 7,900 coronavirus fatalities and 110,000 cases. | A total of 1.95 million Covid-19 case…
(2020-04-14). "Terrified to Go to Work": Hundreds of Workers in Meat & Poultry Plants Test Positive for COVID-19. democracynow.org 
We look at the spike in coronavirus infections at meatpacking plants. In just one case, Smithfield Foods shut down a plant responsible for 5% of U.S. pork production after more than 350 workers at the facility tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, deaths of slaughterhouse workers have been reported in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Colorado. Many meat processing facilities employ large numbers of immigrants, including undocumented workers. We speak with Wenonah Hauter, executive director and founder of Food & Water Watch, and with Magaly Licolli, executive director of Venceremos, an advocacy group for poultry plant…
(2020-04-14). Russian Covid-19 cases exceed 21,000 after Putin warns country faces 'extraordinary crisis'. rt.com 
The day after President Vladimir Putin told Russians that the next few weeks will be "decisive" in the battle with coronavirus, the country has posted a new daily record rise in infections, with 2,774 new cases discovered. | Over two-thirds (1,949) were found in Moscow and its surrounding region, with others dotted around the country. The national total now stands at 21,102. | Worryingly, the remote northern Komi Republic is Russia's fourth most affected region overall. The resource-rich territory recorded 97 fresh Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing its tally to 305, with three dead. | Twenty-two new deaths h…
(2020-04-14). Russian MPs approve bill on dual citizenship for foreigners in 1st reading. rt.com 
The lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, has approved the first reading of the bill, according to which foreigners no longer have to give up their existing citizenship when being granted the Russian one. | Currently, when applying for Russian citizenship, foreigners must confirm that they had addressed their country's corresponding bodies in order to give up their original citizenship. The new bill cancels this requirement. | Chairman of the Duma Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Leonid Kalashnikov said that previously this measure was in place onl…
(2020-04-14). Covid-19 isolation could lead to DIVORCE EPIDEMIC, according to Russian expert. rt.com 
It's only April, but 2020 is certain to be remembered for more than just the fact that its first two digits match its second pair of digits. It has been one of those years in which, to paraphrase Vladimir Lenin, "decades happen."
(2020-04-14). Russian FM Lavrov holds video conference with international journalists to discuss pressing global issues amid Covid-19 pandemic. rt.com 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will host a video conference attended by international media to discuss key issues, as the world struggles to contain the coronavirus pandemic. | The unorthodox press briefing will be attended by fifteen journalists from Russia and across the world. Lavrov, who is currently in Moscow, is expected to touch on a range of current international topics during the video conference.
(2020-04-14). 'Coronavirus is affecting EVERYBODY': Chinese virologists urge govts to act on Covid-19 as they share frontline experience with RT. rt.com 
Top Chinese virologists, who were invited to share their experience with Russian colleagues, have revealed how their country tackled Covid-19. They also urged governments to 'get real' about the unprecedented threat to humanity. | A medical task force was sent to Russia from China on a humanitarian mission last weekend. Two of its members gave their take on the developing pandemic in an exclusive interview with RT. | They warned that Covid-19, which has killed more than 120,000 people around the globe, must be taken seriously because of its contagiousness, the likes of which have rarely been seen before. | Rea…
(2020-04-14). China moves to block new coronavirus flare-up on Russian border. thecanary.co 
China is facing a new coronavirus flare-up along its remote northern border with Russia.The frontier has been sealed and emergency medical units rushed to the area to prevent travellers from bringing the virus back from overseas.The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic began in China, which is now striving to keep the virus out while other countries struggle to bring their own outbreaks under control.The long, porous border of Heilongjiang province and neighbouring Inner Mongolia has much less travel than major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. But it is a popular alternative route into the country.Many Chinese live a…
(2020-04-14). Denmark's PM proposes 'quicker reopening' of society. rt.com 
Denmark's government wants to reopen society quicker than previously anticipated, as the number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations continues to fall, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said. | "The number of hospitalizations have not risen, they have fallen. And the number of people in intensive care is also falling," Frederiksen told reporters on Tuesday. The PM did not specify details of the government's proposal, Reuters said. | The move will be discussed with other parties in parliament later on Tuesday, according to the Danish prime minister.
(2020-04-14). Hundreds of Workers in Meat and Poultry Plants Test Positive for COVID-19. truthout.org We look at the spike in coronavirus infections at meatpacking plants. In just one case, Smithfield Foods shut down a plant responsible for 5% of U.S. pork production after more than 350 workers at the facility tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, deaths of slaughterhouse workers have been reported in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Colorado. Many meat processing facilities employ large numbers of immigrants, including undocumented workers. We speak with Wenonah Hauter, executive director and founder…
(2020-04-14). The Arab-Israeli Alliance Is Fueling Conflicts in the Middle East. globalresearch.ca There are 2 camps in the Middle East: those countries which work with 'Israel', and those who do not. The countries which have established relationships with 'Israel' are Turkey; United Arab Emirates (UAE); Saudi Arabia; Qatar; Bahrain; Oman; Jordan; Egypt. …
(2020-04-14). As Turkey Bombs Syria, Activists Urge Trader Joe's to Drop Turkish Goods. truthout.org In solidarity with the people residing in North and East Syria, groups across the U.S. are asking the multibillion-dollar grocery chain Trader Joe's to de-shelve products from its Turkish suppliers. Rojava solidarity groups, organizing under a coalition hashtag of #TJsBoycottTurkey, launched a "Trader Joe's Boycott Turkey" petition. The coalition also scheduled a communications zap that encourages a coordinated flurry of emails and phone calls to corporate headquarters for Wednesday, April 15 and T…
(2020-04-14). Video: Syrian Army Pounding ISIS Cells in Homs Desert. Turkey Fortifies Positions Near Saraqib. globalresearch.ca The military situation in northwestern Syria is steadily escalating. | On April 10 and April 11, the Turkish Army and its proxies shelled positions of Kurdish armed groups in northern Aleppo. The most intense shelling took place near the areas of …
(2020-04-14). Iran's $1.6bn blocked assets not yet released: Luxembourg court. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 14 (MNA) — A Court in Luxembourg has announced that Iran's blocked assets has not yet been released and a final ruling of the Supreme Court is needed for releasing them.
(2020-04-14). Prague Shows No Respect to Russians Who Liberated It from Nazism. globalresearch.ca Marshal Ivan Konev, the famous Soviet general who was responsible for liberating most of Eastern Europe from Nazi Germany and its allies has been a figure of respect. He has been immortalized in a series of busts and statues …
(2020-04-14). The Prevailing Pandemic of Influenza. jamanetwork.com During the past two weeks, August 28 to September 11, there has begun a severe and rapidly spreading epidemic of influenza in the First Naval District. More than 2,000 cases have been reported in these two weeks, and there are indications of a rapid spread of the infection. This is undoubtedly the same disease which, first heard of in Spain last spring, and hence called Spanish influenza, has in recent months spread over nearly all of Europe, including Germany, Italy, France, England and Ireland, attacking from 30 to 40 per cent. of the people. The outstanding feature of this epidemic is its high degree of commun…
(2020-04-14). German airline Lufthansa receives multibillion-euro bailout, prepares to cut 18,000 jobs. wsws.org Europe's largest airline, is exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to implement long-planned attacks on their workforces.
(2020-04-14). The US Will Indefinitely Maintain Border Closure With Europe. telesurenglish.net RELATED: | "We want to do it [lift the shutdown] very quickly, but we want to make sure everything is fine. Right…
(2020-04-14). Skin Cancer Detection Apps Unreliable. jamanetwork.com Smartphone apps that use artificial intelligence to assess skin cancer risk based on images of suspicious moles aren't ready for prime time, a recent systematic review in the BMJ suggests. The 9 studies included in the review "showed variable and unreliable test accuracy" for 6 such apps, 2 of which are approved by European regulators as medical devices.
(2020-04-14). Sweden's flawed coronavirus battle plan hits the poor & elderly, resulting in worst death count among Nordic countries. mronline.org In only three days, the total fatalities in Sweden due to the current epidemic rose from 477 to 881. While the problem started roughly about the same time in all the Scandinavian countries, Sweden's stats are among the worst.
(2020-04-14). VIDEO: Virtual trip to pristine nature of Kharvana. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 14 (MNA) — The video shows the pristine and beautiful nature of Kharvana in Varzaqan County, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran.
(2020-04-14). Turkey's COVID-19 prison amnesty excludes political prisoners, journalists. wsws.org Turkey has one of the world's fastest-spreading coronavirus epidemics, with over 52,000 cases and 1,100 deaths since the first case was diagnosed on March 10.
(2020-04-14). Iran-Turkey monthly trade via railway at 54k tons. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 14 (MNA) — Spokesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) said that Iran and Turkey traded 54,000 tons of goods last month amid the coronavirus outbreak and railway transportation served as the only means for transfer of goods between them.
(2020-04-14). Serbian parl. speaker voices solidarity with Iran in COVID-19 battle. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 14 (MNA) — The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Maja Gojkovic expressed Serbia's support to Iran, which has been grappling with the novel coronavirus pandemic in the past two months.
(2020-04-14). No, Italy Is Not the Case Against Medicare for All. thenation.com No, Italy Is Not the Case Against Medicare for All…
(2020-04-14). Meatpacking workers demand protection as pandemic hits US food supply chain. wsws.org Over the last few weeks, more than 2,000 food processing workers have tested positive and scores have died, including five meatpacking workers in Colorado, Pennsylvania and Georgia and at least 41 grocery store workers in New York, Illinois and Michigan.
(2020-04-14). Linking air pollution with the immunodeficiency conditions of hospital patients with COVID-19. truepublica.org.uk By Manuel Joà£o Ramos, Professor of Departamento de Antropologia (ECSH), Lisbon Portugal and Centre of International Studies, ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon: Most countries' authorities are keeping silent in the face of the evidence being presented by a growing number of pathologists and epidemiologists linking air pollution with the immunodeficiency conditions of hospital patients with Covid19. …
(2020-04-14). Anti-Iran sanctions amid COVID-19 battle sign of US 'state terrorism'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 14 (MNA) — Former Duma member and head of Russia's center for the Middle East studies Shamil Sultanov says persisting with the economic sanctions against Iran, while the countries are grappling with the coronavirus pandemic, only shows Washington's "state terrorism".
(2020-04-14). Russian FM calls US sanctions inhuman, illegal action. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 14 (MNA) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the continuation of US sanctions against other countries inhumane and illegal action amid coronavirus pandemic.
(2020-04-14). Covid-19 strikes Moscow's LEGENDARY Bolshoi Theater, dozens of staff test positive. rt.com 
Coronavirus has been detected in the Presidential Administration and other top Russian institutions. Thus, it was probably just a matter of time before a few cases were reported in the country's most famous opera and ballet house. | Despite being closed since March 15, and with rehearsals having been suspended 10 days later, 34 staff members at Moscow's world-famous Bolshoi Theater have tested positive for the virus. | | © Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich | Testing was conducted prior to a nationally televised concert called 'We Are Together,' held in support of those fighting the spread of Covid-19 in Ru…
(2020-04-14). European Countries in Mass Recruitment Drive for Agricultural Workers Amid COVID-19 Outbreak. sputniknews.com The EU has urged member states to allow the hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who help plant and harvest crops to cross borders despite travel bans to contain the virus.
(2020-04-14). Fire in Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Put Out, Several Days Needed to Douse Afterburn – Emergency Service. sputniknews.com Hundreds of Ukrainian firefighters and local volunteers have been involved in extinguishing forest fires in the abandoned regions surrounding the site of the infamous nuclear disaster.
(2020-04-14). WHO Says World Not Past COVID-19 Peak Despite Decline in New Cases in Spain, Italy. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The coronavirus pandemic has not yet reached its global peak despite showing slight slowdowns in the worst-affected European nations, it remains on the rise in other nations, World Health Organisation spokeswoman Margaret Harris said on Tuesday.
(2020-04-14). See You Later, Aviator! Man Accidentally Ejects Himself From Rafale Fighter Jet at 500km/h. sputniknews.com Some presents are fantastic and affect our lives so profoundly we remember them forever, but some surprises can be odd, or even dangerous. If you don't decline the gift, then it might still become memorable, but in a very different way. This is what happened to a senior man in France, who was involuntarily involved in a test flight.
(2020-04-14). Turkey Lifts Social Security Requirements for Getting Free COVID-19 Treatment – Reports. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Turkish authorities have adopted a new regulation enabling all citizens, including those who are not registered with the social security system, to be treated for the coronavirus disease for free, the Daily Sabah newspaper reported on Tuesday.
(2020-04-14). Coronavirus death toll exceeds 4,000 in Belgium. yenisafak.com At least 262 more deaths from the coronavirus were registered in Belgium over the past 24 hours, the health authorities announced on Tuesday, bringing the tally to 4,157.The latest data from the Federal Public Service of Health shows signs of a slowdown in contagion and hospitalization rates.As many as 530 new cases were reported, compared to last week's daily figures of 1200-1700, taking the total number of cases in the country to 31,119.Similarly, 242 patients were recently taken to healthcare facilities, while previous data revealed 400-600 hospitalizations per day."For hospitalization in Belgium, we do not ob…
(2020-04-14). COVID-19 cases not peaked yet in Europe, US: WHO. yenisafak.com Of the overall outbreaks of COVID-19 around the world, 90% are registered in Europe and the U.S., and the peaks in both have certainly not been reached yet, a World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson said Tuesday.WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris, at a UN press briefing from Geneva, urged following the organization's guidelines on the lifting of restrictions before lockdown easing measures are made."We're beginning to see a slight deceleration in cases," Harris said responding to a question of Anadolu Agency, adding: "It's going to take time. But yes, they see a slowing."Harris said other countries were st…
(2020-04-14). Spain is flattening its coronavirus curve, health minister says. yenisafak.com Spain is flattening the curve representing the spread of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, Health Minister Salvador Illa said at a news conference on Tuesday.The daily increase in reported cases of the virus has been falling since hitting a peak of more than 9,000 at the end of March, according to data from the health ministry.
(2020-04-14). Turkey completes 1st phase of COVID-19 vaccine efforts. yenisafak.com Scientists in western Turkey commenced the lab tests on Tuesday of an antigen they designed for a vaccine against the novel coronavirus.Research is ongoing with the collaboration of the Ege University Drug Development and Pharmacokinetic Research Application Center (ARGEFAR) in Izmir province and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).A total of 32 scientists specializing in different branches came together to conduct the studies.Dr. Mert Doskaya told Anadolu Agency that the design of the antigen, which is the first phase of the vaccine effort, was completed in a week.The Vaccine Re…
(2020-04-14). Turkey: Miners in Zonguldak resolute against COVID-19. yenisafak.com As a lockdown continues in Turkey's northern province of Zonguldak as part of the country's measures against the novel coronavirus, tens of thousands of people are isolating themselves from daily life, including hard-working miners.The self-isolation is taken seriously in the Black Sea province, known for its rich coal reserves, as miners and their families are aware that COVID-19 poses more risk to those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, an occupational hazard of mining."I have been working as a miner for about 14 years, and this novel coronavirus is a source of anxiety among people here. But I feel conf…
(2020-04-14). Turkey to use contact-tracing app to detect coronavirus. yenisafak.com Young Turkish entrepreneurs have developed a mobile application to support the country's efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.A group of 16 technology enthusiasts developed the "Corowarner" app which allows community-driven contact tracing."The Corowarner app alerts you instantly and anonymously if you had close contact with an individual in a market, pharmacy or bus who tested positive for the virus," Efe Kart, one of the project developers of the app, told Anadolu Agency."The app was basically designed to send a notification like 'X days ago, you encountered a person who tested positive for COVID…
(2020-04-14). Italy-UK team hopes to have COVID-19 vaccine in Sept. yenisafak.com The venture brings together Italian company Advent-IRBM